The World Tree moved.
Not violently.
Not like it had in battle.
But with purpose.
Ancient bark shifted and parted, roots bending and weaving together as a massive natural bridge extended outward from the trunk—forming a smooth, glowing pathway down to the base.
A path of completion.
A path of victory.
The Vixens stood at the top of it.
Behind them, shadow knights moved in disciplined silence, carrying crates, artifacts, weapons, and materials—each one a treasure that would have made kingdoms tremble.
Jax glanced over the haul.
"Alright. Let's not make ten trips."
He raised a hand.
Shadow energy rippled.
The knights adjusted formation and began consolidating everything efficiently, stacking and securing it for transport.
Bunny stretched her arms overhead.
"Man… that still feels unreal."
Llandra nodded slightly.
"…We actually cleared it."
Zee looked down the bridge.
"…And faster than anyone in recorded history."
Nyxian smirked.
"Well… obviously."
Pixelle hovered proudly at shoulder height.
"I told you all, we had this under control."
Nyxian gave her a look.
"You almost got blown off a bridge."
Pixelle crossed her arms.
"Tactical positioning."
Jax chuckled.
"Let's move."
As they descended the bridge—
The world below came into view.
And so did the crowd.
Over a hundred adventurers stood gathered at the base of the World Tree, waiting for their entry windows. Groups clustered together, weapons ready, supplies prepared.
They had been watching the tree for hours.
Days.
And now—
Something had changed.
The tree was moving in a way it never had before.
The murmurs started first.
"What is that…?"
"…Has anyone ever seen it do that?"
"…Is that a path?"
Then someone pointed.
"They're coming out."
Silence fell.
Then—
They saw them.
First—
An elf.
Llandra walked with calm, effortless grace.
Behind her—
Nyxian, her presence unmistakable, demonic elegance mixed with confidence.
Then Bunny—
hammer resting casually on her shoulder, smiling like she just came out of a light workout.
Zee followed, composed as always, staff glowing faintly.
Pixelle sat proudly on her shoulder.
And then—
Jax.
Black trench coat shifting with the wind.
Red-accented armor catching the light.
Eyes forward.
Followed by an entire procession of shadow knights carrying treasure.
The silence broke instantly.
"…No way…"
"…That's not…"
"…They cleared it."
The reactions split immediately.
Some stared in awe.
Others in disbelief.
A few in quiet panic.
"Does that mean the loot is gone?!"
"No, idiot! It resets for each raid!"
"They still cleared it—look at what they're carrying!"
"That's insane…"
"That group is so small…"
"…That's them."
"…The Vixens."
"…That's Jax Darquebane."
"…He's even better looking in person."
Nyxian smirked.
The shadow knights moved with precision, loading everything into the caravan waiting nearby.
The dimensional storage compartment in the back absorbed crate after crate seamlessly.
Efficient.
Clean.
Professional.
The crowd began to clap.
Then cheer.
Then erupt.
The first group to clear the World Tree.
In under four days.
A feat no one thought possible.
The crowd surged forward—but not aggressively.
Curiously.
Excited.
"How many floors were there?!"
"What kind of monsters did you fight?!"
"How long did it take you?!"
Jax answered calmly.
"Fifty floors."
"Varied environments."
"Just under four days."
The reaction was immediate.
"…That's impossible."
"No way."
"They're lying."
"Or the raid was easier than usual."
Others shook their heads.
"No… look at them."
"They're not lying."
"That's real."
Some celebrated.
Some doubted.
Some stood there quietly, realizing something fundamental had just changed.
Nyxian summoned the Grimsteeds.
The massive shadow bulls emerged, their presence alone forcing the crowd to step back slightly.
They were attached to the caravan.
Jax climbed aboard.
"Let's head back."
The journey to the Fairy Village didn't take long.
But word traveled faster.
By the time they arrived—
The entire village was waiting.
Thousands of fairies filled the sky.
Color.
Light.
Energy.
Excitement.
The moment the caravan entered—
The village exploded.
Cheering.
Singing.
Dancing in mid-air.
Pixelle jumped off Zee's shoulder in her fairy form.
"LEXI!"
A small blur of purple shot through the crowd.
"PIXELLE!"
They collided mid-air in a tight hug, spinning in excitement.
"You're back!"
"Of course I am!"
Pixelle puffed up proudly.
"I had to make sure THEY survived."
Nyxian rolled her eyes.
"Oh my god."
But nearby fairies heard it.
And whispers spread instantly.
"She protected them…"
"Our Queen led the raid…"
"They couldn't have done it without her…"
Pixelle's reputation exploded on the spot.
She turned mid-air and raised her hands.
The entire village quieted instantly.
Her voice carried.
Clear.
Commanding.
Joyful.
"The World Tree Raid… has been conquered!"
The celebration erupted again.
But she wasn't done.
"And as promised…"
She turned.
Pointing directly at Jax.
"I will now fulfill my favor."
Jax blinked.
"…Wait."
Pixelle smiled brightly.
"I will be marrying Jax."
Silence.
Then—
Immediate chaos.
"…WHAT?"
Jax froze.
"…Hold on."
Nyxian burst out laughing.
"Oh this is AMAZING."
Bunny tilted her head.
"…Wait, seriously?"
Zee blinked rapidly.
"…She's serious."
Llandra crossed her arms.
"…You agreed to this?"
Pixelle turned toward them confidently.
"Of course he did."
She placed her hands on her hips.
"That was my condition for helping."
Jax rubbed his face.
"…I thought that was a joke."
Pixelle shook her head.
"Nope."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
The Vixens looked at each other.
Nyxian spoke first.
"…She didn't exactly carry her weight."
Pixelle gasped.
"I CONTROLLED THE LABYRINTH!"
Bunny raised a finger.
"…That was actually pretty clutch."
Zee nodded.
"And the Root Guardian analysis earlier."
Llandra exhaled slowly.
"…She contributed."
Nyxian smirked.
"…Fine."
She stepped forward.
"But she's not replacing any of us."
Pixelle grinned.
"I don't want to replace anyone."
She leaned in slightly.
"I want to join."
Nyxian's smile sharpened.
"…Good answer."
Pixelle turned back to the crowd.
"And the wedding…"
She paused dramatically.
"…Will take place in a few days!"
The entire village ERUPTED.
"And—"
She grabbed Lexi's hand mid-air.
"Lexi will be joining as well!"
Lexi froze.
"…Wait—what?!"
Pixelle pulled her into a hug.
"You're coming with me!"
The fairies screamed in celebration.
The sky lit up like a festival.
Jax stood there.
Processing.
"…This escalated quickly."
Nyxian leaned beside him.
"You just cleared a world-ending raid."
She smirked.
"And THIS is what breaks you?"
Jax sighed.
"…Yeah."
As the celebration continued—
As the fairies danced—
As the Vixens stood together, laughing, teasing, and accepting their newest additions—
One thing was clear.
The raid had changed everything.
Not just for them.
But for the world.
And Jax—
Now holding a World Seed…
And gaining two new members—
Was just getting started.